Gurney W. Minggia Sr.

Gurney Wilson Minggia, Sr. (aka Rocky) was born on April 16, 1932, in Northampton, North Carolina, to the late William Lee and Jean Ramsey Minggia. As a child, he moved from the open spaces of his grandparents' North Carolina farm to White Plains, New York, where he was educated. He was the middle son of three children, William Thomas and Willis Alston Minggia, who preceded him in death. Rocky immediately entered the United States Air Force from high school, where he achieved the rank of Master Sergeant (MSgt) as a Chef. There, he prepared meals for the officers' quarters, earning many awards and accommodations for his service and expertise.
During his years in the service, Rocky had seven children from his first marriage prior to retiring after 20 years of service in the military. His daughters, Belinda and Denise Minggia, preceded him in death. At the end of his marriage, Rocky relocated from New Jersey to New York, reuniting and marrying his childhood sweetheart, Vivian (Nook) Minggia, where he worked for the US Postal Service. They relocated back to the southern roots of North Carolina, where they began continuing to work for the postal service and retired. Together they shared 52 years prior to her preceding him in death in 2022.
Rocky enjoyed working with his hands. He learned to cook from his father, whom he deeply loved and cherished. He gardened, built a fishpond fountain in his yard, created pavers around his deck, and built a patio covering for shade behind his home-all these things he did with Vivian by his side. Rocky loved family, motivating him to move closer to his Minggia roots from New York back to North Carolina. He loved his dogs, too. He desired to have family cookouts in his large yard. He'd barbecue, smoke a pig, make hog head cheese, pickled watermelon rind, make homemade wine, and so much more. He loved being the center of attention and conversation. Rocky was a somewhat complicated man, a mixture of hard and soft. He had a strong, determined mind about what he wanted and precisely how he wanted things done. He was also the gentlest, loving soul you could know, though it was not always easy to understand him. It was not easy for him to express himself, especially on the soft side, but it was there. Rocky was the oldest living Minggia family member at the time of his death. He quietly left us on April 17, 2025, the day after reaching his goal of celebrating his 93rd birthday with some of his children.
Gurney is survived by his children, Shirrolyn Minggia, Gurney Wilson Minggia, Jr, Carrolyn Minggia, Baleeia Minggia Baker (Gerry), Reginald Clark Minggia (Roseann), and William Lamarr Minggia, Sr. (Le'Kisha). Grandchildren, Tamicka Montgomery (Kevin), Kevin Baker (Amanda), Deborah Baker, Tinisha Butler (Christian Sr.), Theodore Minggia, William Lamarr Minggia Jr., Willow Minggia, Naiser Minggia, and Kyier Minggia; great-grandchildren, Christian Butler, Jr. and Nova Sage Butler; a dear cousin/brother, Walter Louis King; special niece, Jacqualine Davis; loyal dog, Thor; good neighbor, Rex Foster; along with a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews throughout the huge Minggia family who will miss him greatly.
Viewing:
Saturday, May 3, 2025
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Metropolitan Funeral Service
120 West Berkley Avenue
Norfolk, VA
Celebration of Life:
COME IN PERSON OR WATCH ONLINE
Saturday, May 3, 2025
11:00 AM
Metropolitan Funeral Service
120 West Berkley Avenue
Norfolk, VA
Laid to Rest:
Roosevelt Memorial Park
1101 Campostella Road
Chesapeake, VA